I’m last of the litter, the youngest of all
The caboose on a train, of children so tall
With brothers all older, and a sister thrown in
We were one happy family, and all next of kin
Everyone listened to what I had to say
no matter the others, things went my way!
Spoiled so rotten, my bed left unmade
The others had chores, but I sat and played
Things got even easier, when dad’s hair turned gray
The others got booted, but I got to stay!
All by myself, with the world by the tail
Into the future, I saw myself sail
Bags packed and ready with eager intent
I kissed them good-by, with no tears as I went
What a surprise to suddenly find
The world didn’t care, what I had on my mind!
I quickly found out, I must work for my keep
And have the bed made, where I laid down to sleep
Where are those people who gave me such care?
The ones who so eagerly, calmed my despair?
When you’re out on your own, I can now see quite clearly
You’re nothing so special, nor treated so dearly!
Last of the litter can be quite a pain
When often you’re found…at the end of the train!
David Kettler
I wrote this poem many years ago, probably in my late teens. I really like it though and I know that it’s one of my wife’s favorites which also makes it special. I write poems that I absolutely love and think are great, and Brenda’s favorite is one that has sat in a drawer for thirty five years! We always had cats and litters of kittens growing up on Ball road so I suppose that is where I got the idea that I was “last of the litter.” I know that I was spoiled…but in a good way! Now I am finding myself doing the very same thing to my last of the litter…Brett! I like the line…”caboose on a train of children so tall.” All my brothers are over six feet. Janice isn’t quite as tall, but she holds her own just fine! I remember the time I told Dad that I was moving out. I was around 17 or 18 and had started the Battery shop in Riverside. We were having lunch at Carls Jr on the corner of Van Buren Blvd and Cypress Ave in Riverside. I remember Dad just saying…”OK” and that was about it. He knew it was time and seemed resigned to the inevitable. Only now do I understand that he might have been very nervous about his greenhorn son going into a very big world! He did a good job not showing his stress though!
The caboose on a train, of children so tall
With brothers all older, and a sister thrown in
We were one happy family, and all next of kin
Everyone listened to what I had to say
no matter the others, things went my way!
Spoiled so rotten, my bed left unmade
The others had chores, but I sat and played
Things got even easier, when dad’s hair turned gray
The others got booted, but I got to stay!
All by myself, with the world by the tail
Into the future, I saw myself sail
Bags packed and ready with eager intent
I kissed them good-by, with no tears as I went
What a surprise to suddenly find
The world didn’t care, what I had on my mind!
I quickly found out, I must work for my keep
And have the bed made, where I laid down to sleep
Where are those people who gave me such care?
The ones who so eagerly, calmed my despair?
When you’re out on your own, I can now see quite clearly
You’re nothing so special, nor treated so dearly!
Last of the litter can be quite a pain
When often you’re found…at the end of the train!
David Kettler
I wrote this poem many years ago, probably in my late teens. I really like it though and I know that it’s one of my wife’s favorites which also makes it special. I write poems that I absolutely love and think are great, and Brenda’s favorite is one that has sat in a drawer for thirty five years! We always had cats and litters of kittens growing up on Ball road so I suppose that is where I got the idea that I was “last of the litter.” I know that I was spoiled…but in a good way! Now I am finding myself doing the very same thing to my last of the litter…Brett! I like the line…”caboose on a train of children so tall.” All my brothers are over six feet. Janice isn’t quite as tall, but she holds her own just fine! I remember the time I told Dad that I was moving out. I was around 17 or 18 and had started the Battery shop in Riverside. We were having lunch at Carls Jr on the corner of Van Buren Blvd and Cypress Ave in Riverside. I remember Dad just saying…”OK” and that was about it. He knew it was time and seemed resigned to the inevitable. Only now do I understand that he might have been very nervous about his greenhorn son going into a very big world! He did a good job not showing his stress though!